Unloading apparatus.



FRANK H. BROWN & FRED H; BROWN,

UNLOADING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 22, 1908! Patented Oct.27,1908.

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Zzzzeazseisx FRANK H. BROWN KZTRED H. BROWN.

'UNLOADING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 22,;1908.

Patented Oct. 127, 190

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t llall lflll Set FRANK IL BROWN AND FRED H. BROWN, OF PORTLAND OREGON.

untonnmc No. 901,949. I Specification of Application flied January 22,1908. Serial No. 412,214;

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that we, FRANK ll. Brown and Farm ll. Brown, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Portland, in the county of l\lultnomah andState of Oregon, have invented new and useful Improvements in UnloadingApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an unloading apparatus which has beenparticularly devised for use in relieving open ears or other analogousvehicles of their loads with convenience and expedition.

The apparatus is portable and readily reducible to compact form formovement from one position to another, and may be easily disposedadjacent to a car or other vehicle and quickly arranged for operation.

()ne of the most essential characteristics of this unloading a iiparatnsis that the receptive extremity will follow the level of a load in a caror other vehicle to facilitate the en gagement thereof with bags, boxesand other parcels without requiring the operator to lift the bags, boxesor other devices up to the receptive extremityof the apparatus.

Another advantage is the expedition with which bags, boxes and otherparcels may be handled at the delivery extremity of the ap paratus,especially in transferring such devices to a truck or analogousconveying means.

The invention consists essentially of a portable stand carrying a motivemeans and having a conveying organization movably attached thereto andfreely adjustable to different elevations.

The invention also consists in the details of construction andarrangement of parts which will be more fully hereinafter specified.

In the drawings: Figure 1 isva perspective view of an unloadingapparatus embodying the featuresof the invention and shown applied. Fig.2 is a transverse vertical section through a portion of a car andtheconveying organization of the apparatus and the support for the stand ofthe app'ara- I tus, the stand being illustrated in side elevation andartially broken away. Fig. '3 is a detail p an view of a portion of theapparatus partially shown in'sgction. Figs. 4, 5, (3 and 7 are detailviews of parts of the apparatus.

Similar characters of reference are emarrnaarns.

Letters LPatent. Patented Oct. 27, 19018.

[ployed to indicate corresponding parts in the views.

The numeral 1 designates a stand, com prising essentially a base frame2, having casters 3, uprights 4, holding a platform 5, inclined sidesupports 6 which are projected beyond the one end of the stand, anduprights 7 connected to the side supports and the base frame 2. Theinclined supports 6 have a chute member or plate 8 confined therebetweenand coinciding at its lower extremity with the rear end of the platform5. The angle of inclination of the chute member or plate 8 is differentfrom that of the supports 6, so asto cooperate with the platform 5 inthe delivery of bags. boxes or parcels to the said platform with lessabruptness, and also to have a part of the upper surface of the saidchute member or plate elevated above the adjacent edges of the supports6 to prevent contact and obstruction to movement of bags, boxes orparcels delivered over the said chute member and facilitate thedirection of such bags, boxes or parcels fully on to the platform 5. Theframe of the and as described also serves to conveniently support amotor 9 which, in the present instance, is shown of the gasolene type,though it will be understood that any suitable motor may be employed. Itis preferred that the complete motor be disposed within the stand 1 tocarry out the idea of portability of the apparatus, and to avoiddcpendence on driving power at a'dista-nce from the apparatus to effectan actuation of the conveying means which. will be presently described.The

suitable bearings on the uprights 7.

The foregoing organization forming part of the apparatus comprises anelevator frame 11; made up of upper and lower angle irons 12 and 13,forming tracks andconnected by side lattice work 14, to give lightnessand strength to the structure. The horizontal flanges of the angle irons12 and 13'are directed inwardly and are engaged by rollers 15 on theopposite extremities of a plurality of shafts 16, the latter beingpreferably rectangular in cross section to present flat surfaces for thereception of bags, boxes and other parcels. The; shafts 16 are arrangedat regnlarflintervals and connected to chain belts 17, these belts beingsecured in such manner to the shafts that when the complete eonveyercomprising the shafts and belts is motor'9 a-ctuates the driving shaft10 held in lot mg downwardly wheels in operation, the upper surfaces ofthe shafts traveling over the upper portion of the conveying apparatuswill be free to receive bags, boxes or other parcels. The chain belts 17travel over or engage the sprocket wheels 18 on a shaft 19, havingbearing in the upper ends of the supports 6, and also travel around andope atively engage sprocket at the opposite extremities of a drum 21rotatably disposed in the receptive end of the. conveying apparatus. asclearly shown by Fig. 2. A partition 22 is held between the sidemembersof the elevator frame and adjacent; the upper angle irons 12 soas to prevent the bags, .boxes or other parcels engaging the severalshafts 16 from project.- and interfering with the operation of theportions of the endless cha in belts 17 below. The partition 22,l'lltf'tfflltt. serves as a guard and extends almost the full length ofthe conveying organization. as

clearly shown by Fig. 2. The shaft It) is free to rotate in the upperends of the supports (5 and to thus serve as a fulcrum means for theconveying organizatioi'i without in the least modifying its function asa driving element'for the endless chain belts l7 and shafts lti. Thedriving shaft 10 is provided with a sprocket wheel 23, and the adjacentend of the shaft 19 has a sprocket wheel 24 keyed thereto and of largerdiameter than the said sprocket wheel 2?). Around the sprocket wheels 23and 24 is a chain belt 25 engaged by a. belt tightener consisting of asmall sprocket wheel 26 supported on the rear end of an arm 27adjustably secured to one of the supports. The sprocket wheel 2-3 in itsoperative relation to the sha ft is conwill be hereinafter trolled by asuitable clutch 28, having an upstanding shifting lever 29, whereby theconveying apparatus may be set in motion or stopped as may be desired,without affecting the motor 5).

From the foregoing it will be understood that the conveying organizationis freely movable or has a fulcrumcd connection with respect to thestand 1 through the medium of the shaft 19 engaging the upper ends ofthe supports (3, by means of devices which described, the object of thisassociation of the parts mentioned being to permit the conveyingapparatus to be raised or gravitate in relation to the height of theload, and thus facilitate the application to the receptive extremity ofthe con veying apparatus of bags, boxes'or other a car or other openvehicle. This adjustment of the conveying apparatus may be carried onwithout in the least affecting the association of the driving mechanism,and when the' apparatus is not w in use the conveying organization maybe thrown over on the top,portion of the stand for convenience intransportation of the complete apparatus.

l l l 1:

There are many mechanical means for zip )lying the shaft 19 to the 231projected through the ends of the sup,

ports (3 and formed with inner shouldered bearing extremities 32, andthrough these boxes the opposite extremities of the shaft 19 extend. Theouter flanges 31 of the boxes are suitably secured against the outersides of the supports 6, and the inner bearing extremities 3:? areengaged by eyes ill of coupling members 34 secured to the adjacentextremities of the opposite sides of the lifting frame of the conveyingor; ;.-n1izati(m. as clearly shown by Figs. 3, 4., 5, (i and T. Thecoupling members 34- embody shanks 35 on which the eyes 33 are formed.and said shanks are secured by clips 36 bolted or otherwise secured tothe adjacent extremities of the opposite sides of the elevator frame. Bythe. use of'thcse coupling mem bers the coi vcying organization may beswung in opposite vertical directions without interfering in theleastwith the shaft 19.

The operatitin of the improved unloading apparatus s very simple. veyingorgat-tizatiot has been properly disl oscd in a car or other vehicle tobe unloaded, the motor is started and the convcyer proper actuated tocause the chain bolts 17 and shafts or bars 16 to move towards the upperends of the supports 6. Bags, boxes or other parcels containing thematerial to be unloaded are individually placed on the receptive end ofthe conveying organization so as to engage at least one of the shafts orbars 16, the following shaft or bar engaging a portion of the bag, boxor parcel as it comesaround into proper position. to thus insurecooperation ofa. pair of the shafts in elevating the bags or otherdevices. The receptive extremity of the conveying organization is soshaped that it may bear on the bottom of a car or vehicle withoutinterfering with the operation of the chain belts and shafts or bars 16.When the bags or other devices arrive at; the upper ends of the supports('3 they are caused to engage and slide downwardly over the chute memberor plate 8 on to the platform 5, and fall with such rapidity on to theplatform that an operator may grasp the moving bag or other device andwith very little exertion direct it over on to a truck or other devicedisposed adjacent the stand, or the bags, boxes or parcels gravitatingover the chute member 8 on to the platform 5 may be stacked or otherwisedisposed at one-side of the stand. From time to time the stand andcoi'iveying organization may be shifted longitudinally with respect tothe car or other vehicle being unloaded to bring the receptive end ofthe conveying organization After the eon-' to thebags, parcels or otherdevices remain- 'in%in the car or-vehicle.

etween the attached" end of the conveying organization and the upperextremity of the chute member a roller 37 is mounted on the shaft 19between the sprocket wheels 18, the roller being of such diameter or having a projection relatively to the'adjacent parts that the packages,parcels or boxes de- ,vered from the conveying organization I .will bepositively directed to the chute memher 8 by engaging the said roller37. This roller is an advantageous addition to'the general constructionof the apparatus, but

it vi ill be understood that its use is not nec- -essar1ly essential inview of the fact that the attached end of the conveying organization maybe drawn close as may be desired to the upper end of the chute member.

Therefore, it may be said that the roller :5? is'an intermediate guidingmeans for directingthe bags or parcels from the conveying organizationto' the chute member.

The improved unloading apparatus may also be used for transferring. thecontents of one bin to another bin, or forother purposes where it may befound applicable, and by its use' the ope ation of unloading maybcicarried on with great expedition.

Having thus described the invention.

is claimed, is: 1. In an unloading apparatus, the combination of aportable standhaving a flat platform, an upwardly inclined chute memwhather coiiperating With said-platform, and a conveyingorganization movablyheld adjacent to the ,upper end of the chute member and adjustable todiffer-1m vertical planes.

2. In an unloading apparatus, a portable stand-having a platform, aconveying organization movably connected at one end to the stand abov'ethe platform and adjustable to difierentelevations, means between theZ'onnectcd end of the conveying organization and the platform fordirecting bags, parcels and the like to the said platform, and

motive means carried bythe stand for actuacting the conveyingorganization.

3. In an unloading apparatus, a portable stand having a horizontalplatform, a con veying organization movably connected at one extremityto the upper portion of the stand and adjustable at 1ts free end todifferent elevations, means between the connected extremity of theconveying organization and the platform for delivering bags,

parcels and the like to the said platform,

and means'for actuating the conveying organization.

4. In an unloading apparatus, a portable stand having a receptiveplatform, a conve'ying organization movably connected -at one. extremityto a portion of the stand above the platform, and means between theconnected extremity of the conveying organization and the platformtodeliver parcels, bags and the like to the said platform.

5. In an unloading apparatus, a portable stand having a receptiveplatform, a conveying organization movably connected at one extremity toa portion of the stand. above the platform and having its free endadjustable to different elevations. the conveying organization beingfoldable over on the stand, means between the platform and conveyingorganization for directing pareels, bags and the like from the conveyingorganization to the platform, and a 001m plete operating mechanismcarried by and movable with the stand for actuating the conveyingorganization.

6. In an unloading apparatus, a portable stand having areceptive-platform, an inclined chute member extending upwardly from theplatform, a conveying organization movably connected at one extremity toa portion of the stand above lheplatform and chute member and having itsfree end adjustable to" different elevations, and a 99 guiding memberbetween the connected extremity of the conveyingorganization-and theupper end of the chute member.

7. ln'an unloading apparatus, a portable, stand having a receptiveplatform, an our-1,95 \vardly inclined fixed chute mei'nbercoiiificrating with said platform, and a conveying 9 organization movablyconnected at one ex; tremity to the upper portion of the stand above theplatform and chute member and 100 having its free extremity adjustableabove the stand and also below the latter, the conveying organizationbeing disposed to deliver bags, parcels and the like to the chutemember.

8. In an unloading apparatus, a portable stand having upwardlyprojecting inclined supports, a platform, and ,an inclined chutememberbetween the supports,- and a conveying organization fulcrumed tothe upper 1'10 ends of the supports and adjustable to differentelevations.

'9. In an unloading apparatus, a portable stand, and aconveyingorganization fulcruined to one extremity of the said'stan'd andcomprising a plurality of "transverse shafts with rollers onoppositeextremities and chain belts conencted to said shafts, the shaftshaving fiat surfaces to engage bags, parcels andf the like.

10. In an unloading apparatus, a portable stand having a receptiveplatform and means for delivering bags, parcels and the like to theplatform, a motor and drive shaft mounted-Within the stand, and aconveying organization movably attached at one end to the upper portionof the stand and adjustable at its free end to different elevations, theconveying organization having an operating connection with the saiddrive shaft. 130,

11. In an unloading apparatus, a portable l a shaft stand having aplatform and a chute member ternnnally coinciding, the iilatforzn beingunobstructed for parcels or the like therefrom, and a conveyingorganization fulcrumed to the stand ad- 1 jacent the upper end of thechute member and adjustable to different elevations.

12. In an i'mloading apparatus, a portable stand having a platform and achute memher projecting upwardly therefrom, and a conveying oiganizationfulcrumed to the stand adjacent the upper end of the chute memberjandeinlmdying a eonveyer to deliver bags and other parcels to the saidchute anember. th conveying organization being adjustable to dillerentelevations.

13. In an unloading apparatus, a portable staml having a fixed platform,a conveying organization fulcrumed at one extremity to the upper portionof the stand and projectable over and downwardly into an open car orother vehicle below the platform, and

means interposed between the attached tremity of the conveyingorganization and the fixed platform for direeting lmgs, boxes or thelike from the conveying o' ganization to the platform.

1-]. In an unloading apparatus. a portable. stand having a fixedplatform and a stationary chute member rising at an inclination from thesaid platform, motive means and a drive shaft carried by said stand, ashaft held by the stand above the upper end of the chute member andoperatively connected to the said driveshaft, and a conveyingorganization embodying a movable conveying element actuated by the shaftabove the upper end of the chute member, the said conveying organizationbeing attached at one extremity to the shaftheld by the upper poi tionof the stand and having its free end adjustable to different elevations.

15. In an unloading apparatus, a stand having supports projectingupwardly therefrom, a. chute member between the supports,

quick removal of bags. 1

in the upper extremities of the supports, a conveying organization, andcoup ling members connected to the conveying organization and movablyengaging around the said shaft to permit said conveying organization tobe freely moved to ditferent elevations.

16. In an unloading apparatus, a portable stand having a chute member, ashaft disposed above the said chute member, bearing boxes for the shafthaving inwardly pro jecting rednced bearing extremities, a conveyingorganization. coupling members connected to the conveying organizationand engaging the said bearing extremities of the boxes to permit saidorganization to be adjusted to different elevations, and means carriedby the stand for operating the said shaft and the movable parts of theconveying organization.

17. In an unloading apparatus, a stand, a chute member held by thestand, and a conveying organization or varrier mo ably connected to thestand and freely adjustable without modifying the condition of theehutemember, the. conveying organization or carrier having its deliveryextremity disposed to cooperate with the. upper extremity of the chutemember.

18. In an unloading apparatus, a portable stand having a chute member,and a conveying organization or carrier movablv con-' neeted at oneextremity to the stand aiid disposed to cooperate with the upperextremity of the chute member and freely ad ustable without modifyingthe position of the chute member.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

J. F; HEALEY.

